Vor allem Tiefbau: Auftragsboom für Bauhauptgewerbe im August

In August, a surge of large construction contracts filled the order books of German construction companies, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Adjusted for price increases, calendar and seasonal effects, the orders were nearly a quarter (23.0 percent) higher than July's value, marking the highest such increase since the statistic was introduced in 1991.

Trench construction saw a more significant boost (31.6 percent) compared to building above ground (12.4 percent). Over the past three months, there was a notable rise of 7.6 percent in overall construction, with trench construction outpacing building above ground by 13.8 percent versus 0.6 percent.

The construction industry's turnover, adjusted for prices, reached 10.9 billion euros in August, representing a 10.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Price adjustments led to a 4.9 percent growth in business. Employment grew by 1.5 percent to 548,000 people during this period. Construction Industry Association CEO Tim-Oliver Müller noted that the industry "finally sees light at the horizon."

Companies had anticipated increased prices due to high demand, primarily driven by special fund funds. The sector had already started hiring ahead of the boom and was actively working on increasing productivity. However, central obstacles remain in serial construction. Smaller construction firms fear losing out on large public contracts that are awarded in massive quantities, limiting participation to a few major players.

The Mittelstand (middle market) still has capacity, according to its CEO Felix Pakleppa. In building above ground, machinery utilization is at 45 percent.